Author: 12VoltNews

2021 SEMA Award Finalists Announced

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.07.2021) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a member-organization dedicated to advancing the automotive and automotive aftermarket industries, announced finalists for the 2021 SEMA Award, a recognition presented to new vehicle models that provide the aftermarket with the best platforms for customization. Voted on by SEMA Show exhibitors, winners will be announced at the annual trade-only event on November 2-5, in Las Vegas, Nev.

This year’s award program includes a new category for mid-size trucks. Other categories include car, full-size truck, 4×4/SUV, and sport compact. Exhibitors identified the top three finalists in each category that best showcase their products and accessories.

The top three finalists in each category are (in alphabetical order):

SEMA Car of the Year
• Chevrolet Corvette
• Ford Mustang
• Nissan GT-R

SEMA Mid-Size Truck of the Year
• Ford Ranger
• Stellantis Jeep Gladiator
• Toyota Tacoma

SEMA Full-Size Truck of the Year
• Chevrolet Silverado
• Ford F Series
• Stellantis Ram

SEMA 4×4/SUV of the Year
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• Ford Bronco
• Stellantis Jeep Wrangler

SEMA Sport Compact of the Year
• Honda Civic
• Nissan Sentra
• Toyota Supra

These vehicles represent today’s most popular models based on their potential for customization. Aftermarket manufacturers are investing in the vehicles for their ability to have upgraded performance, styling, comfort, convenience, and safety. The program creates awareness for aftermarket products and highlights the ongoing collaboration between SEMA, automakers, and aftermarket manufacturers to bring quality products to market. SEMA also helps aftermarket manufacturers with product development through the SEMA Garage, measuring sessions, 3-D printing, technology transfer, and more.

For additional information about the SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com.

Car Audio Championship This Weekend

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AUSTIN, TX (10.06.2021) – The SPL portion of the Car Audio Championship will take place October 8-9, 2021 at the North Alabama State Fairgrounds in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

The car audio organizations of dB Drag, MECA, IASCA and EMMA US are all partners in producing the Car Audio Championship. Competitors have accrued points throughout the season to gain an invitation to the championship events. With hundreds of vehicles participating in multiple locations, the event will be a destination for all things audio.

Local and national competitors have the opportunity to enter a few events that are non-invitational. IASCA will host the 2022 Season Kick Off event. The dB Drag Racing, in conjunction with Limitless Lithium, is proud to present Deathmatch at the Championship. It’s been almost 25 years since the dBDRA introduced Deathmatch to the car stereo community. A lot has changed since 1999, but the desire to dominate the competition in a gladiator-style showdown is stronger now than it has ever been. In Deathmatch, competitors must play their sound systems as loud as possible for 5 grueling minutes.

The competitor with the highest average sound pressure level (SPL) is the winner.
• The DEATHMATCH contest is open to the public. No points or Final’s invitation is required.
• 4 competitors – $500 minimum winner take all prize
• The dBDRA will select 4 contestants from those who wish to participate

The Championship organizers would like to thank the major event sponsors, show sponsors and T-Shirt Sponsors:

• Deaf Bonce is the SPL Title sponsor
• Kicker is the Competitor BBQ Sponsor
• Incriminator Audio is the Badge sponsor

Show sponsors include: Lord of Bass, B2 Audio, DD Audio, 20 Hz Labs, Pioneer, XS Power, Sundown Audio, Coventry Industries, Italia HiFi, Resilient Sounds, Directronix, Term-LAB, Crossfire Car Audio and Morel.

T-shirt sponsors include: Ohio Generator, Zapco, TN Bass Racers, Phat Farm, DC Audio, Team Mini, Team Flop Box, ARC Audio, CanaSound, Limitless Lithium, Tru Technologies and Hybrid Audio.

For more information contact: marketing@termpro.com

Kicker Sponsors the 7th Annual Car Audio Championships

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STILLWATER, OK (10.06.2021) – Kicker returns to co-sponsor the 2021 Car Audio Championships, held at the North Alabama State Fairgrounds in Muscle Shoals October 8-9, and then again at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville, AR, October 23-24.

The SPL portion of the Championships will take place in Muscle Shoals, coinciding with some additional West-Coast locations. The Sound-Quality Finals will take place in Bentonville two weeks later. KICKER is a sponsor for both events.

“The Championships represent the elite of the competition world, both for SPL and sound quality,” said Kevin Campbell, KICKER’s Marketing Director. “KICKER believes in the importance of competition, which is why we’ve supported the sport for so many years. A passion for audio drives these competitors. That same passion pushes us and our products to evolve. It’s a kindred spirit.”

MECA, dB Drag Racing, IASCA and EMMA USA are all partners in producing the Car Audio Championships. Competitors have accrued points throughout the season to gain an invitation to the SQ and SPL championship events. With hundreds of vehicles participating in multiple locations and thousands of spectators, the event will be a destination for all things audio, as local audio retailers are promoting it around the area.

The dB Drag Racing competitors will have the option to compete from Muscle Shoals, or a the Sacramento, CA site. Web-enabled competition will allow any competitor to go head-to-head in either location and still be part of one large event.

Open triple-point events will also be held at the same time as the invitation-only Championships, allowing local can national competitors to have an opportunity to kick off the 2022 competition season with a high-point event.

Both Championships will run on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 6 pm.

Visit CarAudioChampionship.com, dbdragracing.com, iasca.com, and mecacaraudio.com for more.

Race Sport Lighting to Reveal Patented Technologies at KnowledgeFest Trainings

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RINGWOOD, IL (10.06.2021) – Every year, Race Sport Lighting partners with Knowledge Fest to exhibit at a booth and train dealers, installers and counter salespeople at shows around the country. This week at Indianapolis is no exception, as Race Sport Lighting will be conducting two dealer-focused trainings on Friday and Saturday in Room #109. The main goal of the trainings will be to discuss their new lighting technologies and solution-based products to make sales and installs easier on newer vehicles.

Race Sport Lighting will also be exhibiting in their 10’x30’ booth for dealers to visit and learn about new lighting technologies. Staff will be available in the booth all weekend to answer any questions. The booth will feature a custom UTV loaded with their new L8 Series RGB a la carte system including a 40” light bar, (4) L8 auxiliary cubes and a rock light kit. Race Sport Lighting will also have on display their nationwide best-selling Terminator LED Kits, the fast-growing DRIVE Series V2 LED kits and their USPTO patented GEN4 LED system launching in November of 2021.

“This K-Fest booth is going to light up the hall! Dealers are going to have a ton of great training resources to learn about and see in person. We will have a team communicating in the booth all weekend. We are going to make a clear statement that when it comes to the lighting category, we are the leader. We are the preferred vendor for a reason with 15 years of pioneering the lighting category as we continue to release exclusive patented technologies.” – Steve Jergensen, President of Race Sport Lighting

Visit www.racesportinc.com for more.

SEMA Debuts New Web Series for Annual Launch Pad Competition

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.05..2021) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has debuted the first episode in its new five-episode streaming series chronicling the ninth year of its Launch Pad competition. The series showcases the ingenuity of rising entrepreneurs in the automotive industry as they pitch their new product or service to a panel of industry experts.

Fifteen individuals have been selected out of a record number of applicants last spring to advance to the semi-final round. From there, five of them will be chosen to compete for cash and prizes at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., where the series finale will be filmed before it airs on the History Channel on a future date.

From left, Jared Hare, Chip Foose, Alex Parker, and Myles Kovacs are judges of the 2021 SEMA Launch Pad competition, which is being chronicled on the SEMA YouTube Channel and on the History Channel on a future date.

One winner will be selected to win the grand-prize package valued at $92,000, which includes $75,000 to help launch their innovative new product. The remaining 14 semi-finalists will also receive prizes that will help them in their entrepreneurial journey.

The semi-finalists are:

  • Cameron Crummie – Owner, MDV
  • Adam Gruener – CEO, Off Road In Mind
  • Jonathan Hurley – Owner, ToolBox Widget
  • Monika Kalenski – President and CEO, MEK Magnet
  • Brendan McGrath – CEO, Dyme Performance Systems Inc.
  • Robert McKeirnan – President and Managing Partner, Stratos Meccanica LLC
  • D.J. Potter – CEO, Sawtooth
  • Alan Reyes – Co-founder and President, Xtrusion Designs LLC
  • Kevin Robinson – President, TRAC LLC
  • Paul Rooprai – CEO, AutoBio LLC
  • Michael Ruhs – Co-founder and CEO, TailHand
  • Tom Sawarynski – Owner, Off-Road Research
  • Michael Sullivan – Owner, Fox Products LLC
  • Edward Tansingco – President, Thinskinz
  • Dustin Woolf – Owner, Woolfpack Racing

“It’s a highlight every year to give up-and-coming entrepreneurs the chance of a lifetime,” says Nathan Ridnouer, VP of Councils and Membership. “This year, we’re even more excited to bring audiences a more comprehensive and personal look at our annual competition; it’s like Shark Tank for the automotive aftermarket industry.”

Past winners of SEMA Launch Pad include Roland Hence of FrontLane, Inc. (2020); Reid Lunde of Kaizen Speed (2019); and Matt Beenen of Builtright Industries (2018).

Click to visit the SEMA YouTube page

The first episode of “2021 SEMA Launch Pad” is available for viewing now on the SEMA Show YouTube channel, with the remaining episodes debuting on each Tuesday from Oct. 5-26. For more information about the 9th annual SEMA Launch Pad Competition, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.

PowerBass Rocked the World’s Biggest Sand Sports Expo

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ONTARIO, CA (10.05.2021) – PowerBass headed out to the 2021 Sand Sports Super Show in Costa Mesa CA. for the first public event in over 2 years! The show was packed with over 60,000 people in attendance from all over the USA as this is the premier Sand Sports event in the country!

The PowerBass booth stayed busy all weekend with our staff on hand to answer questions and help our consumer customers get the best set up for their UTV’s and other off-road vehicles. Of course a great PowerBass event wouldn’t be complete without the lovely ladies of PB this weekend we had the Sarah’s duo in the booth and the show goers were met with smiles as they entered the booth to check out all of the amazing products on display.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and big thanks to those that took home some great PowerBass gear for their rides! Special thanks to all of our dealers in attendance and those selling at the show, customers said they were seeing PowerBass from the front of the show to the back! The XL-50 V2 series sound bars were the hit of the show with the XL-1250 and XL-850 being the #1 sellers amongst all audio products at the show! We hope you all had a successful year at this years event and thank you for your support!

Check out our newest video for highlights from the show as we can’t wait for next years event that is sure to be bigger and better than ever!

Visit

2021 SEMA Show Mobile App Now Available for Download

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.05.2021) – The official 2021 SEMA Show mobile app is now available for download from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or via the QR code below.

A great tool to maximize your time at the Show, the official SEMA Show app contains detailed exhibitor information, interactive floorplans and up-to-date event and education information—all from the convenience of your mobile device. This year, the SEMA Show app will feature a scanning function that will allow attendees to quickly capture product and exhibitor information from feature vehicles on display throughout the Show as well as the ability to scan and save products from the New Products Showcase. The app puts the entire SEMA Show in your pocket.

2021 SEMA Show mobile app features include:

Scan the QR to download the app
  • Interactivity: Users can receive detailed information about feature vehicles displayed throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. By simply scanning a vehicle’s QR code, located on a feature vehicle sticker attached to the vehicle during check-in, the app will display the vehicle’s year, make and model; information on the exhibitor displaying the vehicle; and a list of products used on the vehicle. The app also allows users to access a list of exhibitors from 2019 and any saved product information.
  • Turn-By-Turn Directions: Find the quickest route from one place to another without the need of a GPS or data service. Simply enter an exhibitor name or room nearest to you and where you want to go, and the app will provide directions.
  • My Schedule: Create a schedule to keep track of the events you wish to attend.
  • New Products Showcase: View all of the products entered into the New Products Showcase, complete with detailed information and photos, exactly where within the Showcase the product is displayed, and directions to the exhibitor’s booth on the Show floor.
  • Product Scanner: Use your smartphone as a scanner at the New Products Showcase to create a list and map of the scanned products.
  • Maps: View floorplans of all SEMA Show halls and how/where they connect to make passage from hall to hall as easy as possible.
    Exhibitors: Look up all 2021 SEMA Show exhibitors by name, Show section or product category.
  • Events, Celebrity Appearances and Speakers: See lists of all the events, seminars, conferences, celebrity appearances and speakers, including day, time and location.
  • Social Media: Keep up with the feeds of the official SEMA Show social media accounts, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
  • Ground Transportation: Find the best way to arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Obtain information on the Las Vegas Monorail, rideshare and hotel shuttles, including pickup locations.
  • SEMA eNews: Stay up to date with the latest news before, during and after the Show.

For more information about the 2021 SEMA Show, taking place November 2–5, in Las Vegas, visit www.semashow.com.

Kicker Hosted Zoom Training for PlanetWorlds Team in South Africa

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DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA (10.04.2021) – Kicker hosted a Zoom training presented by John Myers for over 100 South African dealers to include all of PlanetWorlds Team on Sept 2. We had multiple giveaways with a grand prize given away by PlanetWorld of R10,000 ( $664 US) Kicker products to be added to the next order.

PanetWorld’s sales rep Shaun van der Merwe (L) presented Jeetan Mitha, YOGI’s Audio and Visual outside Cape Town, with the grand prize giveaway. YOGI’s will receive nearly $700. worth of KICKER gear on the store’s next order.

The training was also attended by Jay Ralston GM of Kicker, Dave Glasgow International Sales Manager for South Africa along with Maurice Van Heerden Director of PlanetWorld.

A selection of prizes are shown on a rack in the PlanetWorld HQ.

David Glasgow, International Sales Manager, commented, “It was tremendously exciting to see the turnout of Dealers for this training presented by Kicker and John Myers. Also, Thank you goes out to Quewen Webb the Sales Manager and his entire team from PlanetWorld, for all the coordination and behind-the-scenes work.”

The map shows YOGI’s Audio and Visual in relationship to Cape Town, South Africa.

Glasgow continued, “I can’t believe it’s been over 10 years now since PlanetWorld joined the Kicker family. We could not have asked for better representation for the Kicker Brand as we have experienced through PlanetWorld. Maurice Van Heerden has a tremendous team working for him, and we look forward to many more years of outstanding business.”

Visit kicker.com for more.

Trent Partners & Associates New Hire Announcement

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ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY (10.04.2021) – See the following announcement from Matt Gonzales of Trent Partners & Associates:

“I would like to formally announce that Trent Partners & Associates has come to an agreement with Ralph Luce to become our newest account executive in the New York market. Ralph comes to Trent Partners & Associates with an extensive work history at the retail level with both sales & installation.”

Ralph Luce

“Having personally worked with Ralph in the past on special projects and at shows I am extremely confident that Ralph will not only succeed in the manufacturer rep sector but become a rising star. His knowledge of the retail business in the mobile electronic category along with the local marine / powersport business will quickly become an asset to Trent Partners and its vendors.”

Trent Partners represents Kicker, VOXX including Directed, JVC Mobile, Orca brands (Focal & Mosconi), AudioControl Diamond/Cerwin Vega and DD Audio.

Ralph will be working the New York market with myself growing / servicing accounts in Brooklyn, Queens & Long Island. The first day in the field will be on October 4th… so please join me in welcoming Ralph to the Trent Partner family!

Visit trentpartners.com for more.

HKI USA Adds Another Member to Its Growing Team

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DANIA BEACH, FL (10.04.2021) – HKI USA, the US importer for SounDigital Amplifiers, Ground Zero Car Audio, Four Connect Wiring Products, and the new HKI Mini DSP, is proud to announce another member to its growing family.

As 2021 starts to wind down, HKI is expanding upon its staff of Territory Managers, once again, with the addition of the new kid on the block, Daniel Mount. Dan will be taking the reins for Northern Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas allowing HKI to expand its presence in this territory, and focus on representing their extensive line of car audio and powersports products.

Daniel Mount

“We fell Dan is going to be an amazing addition to our team,” stated Jacob Brown, Director of Operations for HKI-USA. “Due to his knowledge and love for our products and his experience and reputation in the territory as both a rep and retail owner, we are excited to see him work with our team of managers and partnered rep firms to continue to build and support our network of retailers.”

“I’m excited to grow the territory with HKI, and meet all the existing dealers in the territory,” explained Mount. “But, to be honest, I am excited to work for a great company, and even more excited to be working with an amazing group of people.”

For more information about our brand(s) and our growing family, visit hki-usa.com or e-mail info@hki-usa.com